Identifying how Legislation and Regulation Impact Upon the Conditions for New Nuclear Build in the European Union

Citation

Heffron RJ (2009) Identifying how Legislation and Regulation Impact Upon the Conditions for New Nuclear Build in the European Union. In: Conference Proceedings for the International Conference on Nuclear Energy for New Europe. International Conference on Nuclear Energy for New Europe 2009, Bled, Slovenia, 14.09.2009-17.09.2009. Ljubljana: Nuclear Society of Slovenia, p. 138. http://www.djs.si/bled2009/abs/absBLED20092578.html

Abstract
This research explores one aspect of energy policy - the provision of nuclear power. Major changes have occurred over the last three decades in policy, institutional and industrial development that have completely redesigned the relationship between government, the electricity and nuclear sectors. The central focus of this research aims to assess how legislation and regulation impact upon new conditions for new build nuclear. The research assesses the conditions for new nuclear build in European Union (EU) from an EU perspective, however with an assessment one individual country, in this instance, Romania. The results attest that due to various historical, political, competition, legislative and electricity market structural conditions Romania has emerged with a secure and stable framework for building new nuclear projects. Upon this analysis being complete, the effect of legislation and regulation can be determined. The results demonstrate that nuclear energy can legally be distinguished from other energy sources and the consequences thereof, and that energy has surprising comparisons with other industries. This paper begins with an assessment of current energy policy before stating and analysing the actors involved. Then there is an examination of the effects on the nuclear sector from energy, environmental and competition legislation and regulation in the EU. The focus of the paper then switches to Romania where an overview of the political and economic climate is completed. This in-depth country focus permits the legislative and regulatory effect on the conditions for nuclear new build to be explored, contrasted and analysed.